Exclusive Interview With Takeru Kobayashi, The Japanese Hot Dog Eating Champion

Takeru Kobayashi, the world champion competitive eater, plans to compete in this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Competition on the 4th of July. The only thing is, he plans on doing so not while the rest of the competitors down dogs at Coney Island, but while he sits on display at 230 Fifth, New York City’s largest rooftop bar and lounge some many miles from the actual competition. The reason being, the six-time hot dog eating champ is not allowed to be anywhere near the actual competition.

Details:

Kobayashi made headlines globally last July 4th when he showed up at the competition after having been barred from participating by Major League Eating (MLE), the governing body of stomach-centric sports, when he refused to sign a contract with the organization. Wearing a black t-shirt proclaiming “Free Kobi” as a reference to his charge that MLE sought to imprison his career by not allowing him to compete in eating contests not sanctioned by MLE, Kobayashi was arrested after the 10 minute competition, when he jumped on the stage during the awards ceremony. He was charged with trespassing, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, consequently spending the rest of the 4th of July in jail.

So in order for him to remain jail free, Kobayashi will be eating from a safe place. He hopes to, however, still break American Joey Chestnut’s record of 68 hot dogs in 12 minutes. A record Kobayashi himself once held.

Join us for the interview and some video of Kobayashi’s epic eating after the jump!

How did you get your start in the world of competitive eating?
I began my career in the world of competitive eating by being chosen to take part in a ‘food eating’ TV show. There were 4 rounds and different foods each time.

If you weren’t doing this, what would you be doing?
I studied economics, so probably something in that field!

What is your typical meal like, outside of the eating circuit?
I eat a normal portion, like anyone on a normal day, but especially when I go out, I am very diverse. I love trying all kinds of foods from different countries and different styles, from casual to high dining.

What do you do on a typical off day?
When I lived in Japan, I would go to parties and out to spend time with friends and families, but since I moved to New York, I spend more time going to Jazz live, museums, visit the flea market, musicals, sometimes try restaurants that interest me, and often, just relax in the park. When I don’t go out I study English.

Is there any advice you would give someone who wants to enter this profession?
It is a competition to compete against time and the amount of food, but the result of a competition is not everything. I hope for competitors to stay healthy and have a great experience from the challenge. Also, do not sign bad contracts.

Is there a certain food you simply won’t eat?
No.

Did you have any sport heroes growing up?
I loved Chiono Fuji in the world of sumo wrestling. He was small for a sumo wrestler, and handsome.

Also, Lance Armstrong. He’s American, but famous for winning in a primarily popular European sport on foreign territory, 7 years in a row!

What is the weirdest thing you’ve every autographed?
A hot dog.

For more on Kobayashi, check out Kobi’s Blog.